Early December or Janurary?

[nu2dis]

We are thinking of going to WDW this winter. We are just back from our first trip and I really want to go this winter time. It will be the last chance I get to go in a non-peak time, next year our oldest starts kindergarten.

So would you go in early December
Pros: Holiday decorations, holiday parties, celebrate daughter's birthday
Cons: might prove to be close to as busy as June (when we went before)

or January
Pros: Not busy, weather
Cons: No special events

So what would you do and why?

Also, anyone else have a hubby who thinks its crazy to go back so soon but is seeming just to go along with it? Any tips for getting him into the idea?

 

[micheleq]

I don't think you can go wrong with either time! DH & I went in Jan. 2001 MLK weekend when we were dating and had a great time. We wore jeans the entire time, but didn't mind at all.

We went this past Dec. 7-12th with our girls, my parents and brother, and found the weather to be fine. It was in the 80's a few days, then a few days of some rain. I enjoyed seeing the holiday decorations and characters in holiday costumes. Because our girls are so young (2 and 4) we opted to not to MVMCP, I knew they wouldn't make it staying awake that long.

One warning about early December is Pop Warner is there. We didn't mind the large groups, but we were not staying at a resort with those groups either.

Good luck with your DH! I don't think we'll be going back until Nov./Dec. 2010 when my DD4 will be in kindergarten, but I'm not opposed to taking her out of school for a few days for a family trip.

 

[nu2dis]

whats pop warner?

 

[micheleq]

Oops! Sorry! Pop Warner is a national football and cheerleading association -- and they have their "Super Bowl" at WDW in early December every year, so you'll see groups of kids from all across the nation at WDW at that time.

Click on my name (the micheleq) and you'll see an older thread I started after I was there during Pop Warner (PW). Many people do not want to be at WDW during that time because of the influx of groups of kids. They stay at the values and at least one moderate resort.

We stayed at SSR and were usually out of the parks by dinnertime, when most of the kids were entering the parks (because they are in competition all day at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex), so it didn't bother us so much. Others have had negative experiences.

If you do a search, you'll find several threads on Pop Warner and this year's dates, I think it starts Dec. 5 or 6.

That being said, if you could go before PW, I'd rec. that. Good luck planning!

 

[nu2dis]

ugh that doesnt sound fun. We really like the parks in the evening but I imagine with the shorter days we wont be there as much at night. I was thinking dec 1-7th

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

We were there last year during Pop Warner, and noticed no difference at all. I would plan a time that works for you, don't worry about other groups who are going to be there... We never saw any Pop Warner kids as we try to do the parks in the morning and go back for a good nights' sleep. Anyway, I love early December at WDW, it is beautifully decorated and crowds are low. Have fun either way

 

[MSSANDRA]

We have done both and all things considered would choose January over December. We really liked the Chirstmas activities but the difference in crowd levels made January a better choice.

FYI- Do not rule out winter with a school age child. We continuted to visit off season till our son was in high school. It can work and it SO worth it.

 

[LovePug]

Early December all the way. It's my favorite time to go. The Christmas decorations are gorgeous. Early December crowds are nothing like June crowds...not even close.

 

[Carmell226]

We are going in January, the 16th-23rd and I can not wait. We have always been at PEAK or very hot times. I am really looking forward to experiencing a less busy and cooler WDW.
DH thought I was crazy when I first brought it up but then I reminded him we are going to start trying to have another baby next summer so we won't be going for a while after that. Now he is totally on board!

 

[LovePug]

We are going in January, the 16th-23rd and I can not wait. We have always been at PEAK or very hot times. I am really looking forward to experiencing a less busy and cooler WDW.
DH thought I was crazy when I first brought it up but then I reminded him we are going to start trying to have another baby next summer so we won't be going for a while after that. Now he is totally on board!

Same week we'll be there...This is the week when we were there in 1/08 and it was a good week. A little chilly on our arrival day, but nice weather the rest of the trip. Have a great time!

 

[crock]

Anyone ever been there over New Years? DH and I are pondering the idea of WDW for family Christmas present, we've done a surprise trip when DS was 7 and we've been back since but think it would be a nice way to celebrate. We would be arriving on New Years Eve and staying through the following week.
Any thoughts?

 

[lucigo]

My vote would be for early December, the Christmas decorations really make it magical! We went for a free dining promo in 08 from Dec 14-20th and it was very nice - up until the point where my DH caught the GI bug that apparently was going around!

 

[pyrxtc]

Both are awesome times. I would do the early December trip. It is more fun wiht the kids and tends to be warmer than some days in January. I was there in December of 08 and january of 09, We wore shorts in Dec but it was too cold in jan to wear them.

 

[mericletwins]

I have been both times. I like them both, but think everyone should see the Christmas decorations at least once. It is really great. The earlier you go in December, the less crowds I believe. Also in January you still can run into special events. There is the WDW marathon and MLK weekend. Both those weekends we saw a big upswing in crowd levels, but the middle of the week was great.

 

[lucigo]

My vote would be for early December, the Christmas decorations really make it magical! We went for a free dining promo in 08 from Dec 14-20th and it was very nice - up until the point where my DH caught the GI bug that apparently was going around!

Ok totally off topic here but did something on my computer make that "POINT" advertisement? I hope I dont' have a bug but I wouldn't be surprised, I think its facebook related GRRRRR!!!

EDIT: Ok now its gone, I have no idea.....the word point was underlined 2x and when I put my mouse of it, it had a link to a game site. Just ignore me I must be going insane.